Man, this title is long!

Everyone was slower getting up this morning.  We’re tired, but a good kind of tired…the tired that comes from working hard…the tired that lets you know you’ve been doing something worth the energy you’ve expended.  Today was another day of working hard, and having it all be worth it.

As we pulled into the community garden this morning, the sun was shining, and a breeze was blowing.  Of course, if you stood too close to the compost bins, the breeze was a little less pleasant.  As the team divided up to do some specific jobs, like breaking up soil so potatoes could be harvested, filling a wheel barrow full of “ready” compost, or harvesting the potatoes, we quickly decided that gardening is HARD work.   During our time in the garden, there were many suggestions for the title of today’s blog, so to accommodate everyone, today’s blog is lovingly titled, “Soft and Squishy…Potato/Puh-tah-toe… Tots Hunting for Taters…The Vegetables of Our Labor”

It’s a long title, we know, but it so completely describes where we are at this stage of our trip, that we had to use all of it.  “Soft and Squishy” describes our hearts. It is at this point in the trip that our hearts have truly been broken for this place and these people.  Many of us are already shedding tears as we think about leaving.  “Potato/Puh-tah-toe” is about different perspectives.  We all have them as each of us sees and feels something different about what God is doing in and through us.  “Tots Hunting for Taters” may not seem as obvious to you, but to us it makes perfect sense.  The BIG 45’ers are just mere tots in many ways, but yet they are digging and searching for the bigger and better things that God has for them.  “The Vegetables of Our Labor” rounds it out nicely.  We want to see the fruit of our labor, so why not ask God for the vegetables too? 

And now what you’re really reading this blog for (not the crazy titles)…

My favorite part today was probably learning some stuff in the garden.  Like…you have to look really deep sometimes to find the good stuff- like the potatoes.  This is like us.  God does good stuff in us, but sometimes it’s deep inside. (Louise)

My favorite part was laughing so hard in the shower that I freaked Emma out.  I also loved telling funny stories and taking funny pictures with Houston and Emily.  (Alexa)

I liked playing with Sarah today.  I’m going to be sad to see the kids leave tomorrow.  (Emily)

I loved seeing Jamarie today.  I also liked breaking down the compost at the community garden- even though it was pretty stinky.  (Maggie)

I hope the kids learned a lot about God this week.  I loved working in the garden today because I don’t have one at home.  It was hard work, but worth it. (Just Jill)

I’ve been having a great time here in Lexington and I’ve been meeting lots of cute little kids at VBS.  It’s saddening to see what little they have.  I have mixed feelings about the VBS ending.  The first feeling is that I’m glad that I don’t have to carry around large containers of crafts. And the second feeling is that I’m sad to see these kids go.  Also, I am sorry to say that the documentary of Lego Bob’s adventures in Kentucky has come to a sudden halt due to his abrupt death by drowning in the sink. May he rest in peace.  (Houston)

All of the kids had a way better time than all of the other days so far.  I’m going to be really sad to go back to Georgia.  I’ve learned that when you show God’s love, you also see it being poured back into your life.  (Andy)

It is amazing how far I’ve come in 3 days.  It’s so amazing and sad what little these kids have.  I am already so sad about leaving and I don’t want to go home.  I’ve learned from VBS with the kids that it’s a good thing to have honor, responsibility, and peace.  I hope on our last day that we can fill these kids’ lives with the love of God.  (Trey)

It is so amazing to see these kids of BIG 45 at work for the Lord.  This week I’ve seen each of the kids’ spiritual gifts develop and being used by God. We’ve had our rough spots, but we’ve also been able to work together as the body of Christ. I’m so proud of these kids and look forward to seeing them at work on the last day of camp.  As for myself- today was hard for me because I realized how much the kids we’re here for depend on the community center and on groups like us.  (David)

I liked working in the garden today.  We also had a lot of fun playing the games.  Not to mention I had a hilarious conversation with Jill!  (Emma)

I was so impressed with the kiddos today when we organized the gift bags for our campers.  They got the task done in no time.  They were like little Ford factory workers in their assembly line.  (Ms. J)

I am just amazed how the team’s gifts and talents fit together so perfectly.  Everyone is doing their part so everything gets done so quickly and efficiently.  It’s like a well-oiled machine.  I love how our kids all love each other- and the kids we’re serving.  I truly think their capacity to love has grown on this trip! (Amber)